Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a compound that modulates a mammalian vestibular system. The method consists of administering a test compound to an invertebrate, and measuring a geotactic behavior of the invertebrate, where a compound that modulates the geotactic behavior of the invertebrate is characterized as a compound that modulates a mammalian vestibular system.
Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating or preventing disorders such as mental diseases, inflammation and pain by inhibiting the enzyme anandamide amidohydrolase. A therapeutically effective level of an anandamide amidohydrolase inhibitor is administered such as a therapeutically effective level of a haloenol lactone. Preferably, the haloenol lactone is of the formula:
wherein R is hydrogen, R1 is a halogen, and R2 is selected from the group consisting of aryl, aryloxy, and heteroaryl radicals, derivatives of said haloenol lactones, and mixtures thereof. The haloenol lactone, E-6-(bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-pyrane-2-one, is most preferred.
Abstract: Novel pharmaceutical therapeutic compositions and methods for using same for the treatment of pain experienced by an individual are provided. The compositions contain at least one member selected from among anandamide and palmitylethanolamide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 28, 1999
Date of Patent:
February 19, 2002
Assignee:
Neurosciences Research Foundation, Inc.
Inventors:
Antonio Calignano, Giovanna La Rana, Andrea Guiffrida, Daniele Piomelli
Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating or preventing disorders such as mental diseases, inflammation and pain by inhibiting the enzyme anandamide amidohydrolase. A therapeutically effective level of an anandamide amidohydrolase inhibitor is administered such as a therapeutically effective level of a haloenol lactone. Preferably, the haloenol lactone is of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, R.sub.1 is a halogen, and R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of aryl, aryloxy, and heteroaryl radicals, derivatives of said haloenol lactones, and mixtures thereof. The haloenol lactone, E-6-(bromomethylene)tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-pyrane-2-one, is most preferred.
Abstract: An apparatus for categorizing objects employs a neural network having a plurality of cells each having memory for storing a state variable, and a plurality of synaptic junctions connecting cells of the network and having memory for storing a synaptic strength variable. A computer is used to modify the synaptic strength variable in accordance with a heterocellular synaptic modification rule. That modification rule includes both the passage of time and the values of the state variables of each cell and of those other cells having specific spatial locations with respect to the cell in three dimensional space.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 23, 1992
Date of Patent:
January 16, 1996
Assignee:
Neurosciences Research Foundation, Inc.
Inventors:
Allen I. Rubenstein, Joseph A. Galley, P. Read Montague, George N. Reeke
Abstract: Apparatus which segments visual scenes into discrete objects. The apparatus is able to perceptually group the elements corresponding to a coherent figure, and to segregate them from the background or from another figure. Reentrant signaling among rhythmically active neuronal groups is used to correlate responses along spatially extended contours. The efficacy of the connections is allowed to change on a fast time scale resulting in active reentrant connections which amplify the correlations among neuronal groups and provides the desired segmentation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 31, 1990
Date of Patent:
February 1, 1994
Assignee:
Neurosciences Research Foundation, Inc.
Inventors:
Gerald Edelman, Olaf Sporns, Giulio Tononi